Simple Machines
This is a rigid bar or plank that can rotate around a fixed point called a fulcrum.
What is a lever?
This is a device made up of two or more simple machines that all work together.
What is a complex machine?
This value is calculated by dividing the output force of a machine by its input force.
What is Mechanical Advantage?
Scientific "work" is only done when a force acts on an object and causes this to happen.
What is making the object move?
A hydraulic system functions by using this state of matter under pressure to move a load.
What is a liquid? (or fluid)
This specific simple machine is forced into an object, usually to split it apart, like an axe.
What is a wedge?
These are groups of parts within a complex machine—like the braking or steering on a bicycle—that perform specific functions.
What are subsystems?
This ratio is calculated specifically by dividing the distance the input force travels by the distance the output force travels.
What is Speed Ratio?
To calculate work, you multiply force by distance. This is the standard unit of measurement for work.
What is the Joule (or Newton-meter)?
This scientific law states that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in all directions.
What is Pascal's Law?
This simple machine is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a central cylinder.
What is a screw?
In a bicycle, this specific part acts as the linkage that transfers your energy from the pedals to the back wheel.
What is a chain?
This is the speed ratio of a ramp if the input distance traveled is 4 meters and the output distance lifted is 1 meter.
What is 4? (Speed Ratio = 4\1 = 4)
True or False: Straining with all your strength to push against a wall that does not move counts as scientific work.
What is False? (Because there is no movement/distance).
This unit of measurement is used for pressure and is equivalent to 1 Newton of force spread over 1 square meter.
What is the Pascal (Pa)?
This simple machine consists of a larger circular object turning a smaller rigid shaft, commonly seen in door knobs and steering wheels.
What is a wheel and axle?
This is the name given to the specific gear that has a force applied to it from outside the gear train.
What is the driving gear?
This value measures how well a machine uses energy without losing it as waste.
What is efficiency?
A worker does 500 J of work dragging a crate across a floor for a distance of 10 meters. This is the amount of force they exerted.
What is 50N? (F = 500J / 10m = 50N)
This is the pressure inside a container when 60 N of force is dispersed across an area of 10 m^2).
What is 6 Pascal's? (P = 60N / 10 m^2 = 6 Pa)
In this class of lever, the load is located between the effort and the fulcrum, such as in a wheelbarrow.
What is a 2nd class lever?
In a complex machine, this subsystem is responsible for transferring energy from an engine or power source directly to the wheels.
What is a transmission?
This is the calculated mechanical advantage of a pulley system if it takes 45 N of input force to lift a 180 N box.
What is 4? (MA = 180N / 45N = 4)
If it takes 320 J of work to push a box across a floor, and the box requires 40 N of force, this is the distance the box was pushed.
What is 8 meters? (D = 320J / 40N = 8m)
If a hydraulic system has an input force of 20 N and produces an output force of 500 N, this is its mechanical advantage.
What is 25? (500N / 20N = 25)